Everett Golson, the redshirt freshman quarterback who led Notre Dame to the national championship game last season, is no longer enrolled at the university because of an academic suspension, the quarterback confirmed Sunday.

On Saturday, Notre Dame spokesman Dennis Brown told WNDU-TV that "federal and school privacy laws preclude us from issuing any further comment at this time" regarding Golson's standing.

But on Sunday, Golson released a statement that he was suspended for the fall term at Notre Dame for his academic performance.

"I have been informed by the University of Notre Dame that due to my poor academic judgment that I have been suspended from the University for the 2013 Fall Term," Golson said in his statement. "I take full responsibility for my poor choices and will do all that is asked of me to regain the trust of my family, friends, teammates, coaches and the entire Notre Dame community."

Golson also addressed his future intentions — to return to Notre Dame, where he would still have two years of eligibility remaining.

"At this point, I understand how my integrity could be in question but I want to reassure my supporters that through this experience I will return a better student athlete as well as a better individual," said Golson.

"Lastly, I want to thank the University of Notre Dame for the opportunity already granted and also the opportunity going forth to regain my eligibility in the winter of 2014."

Last season, Golson grabbed the starting job and led the Irish to a undefeated regular season, before the Irish were handled by Alabama in the BCS National Championship Game. Golson threw for 2,405 yards, 12 touchdowns and six interceptions. He also rushed for 298 yards and six TDs.

His grip on the starting job was so secure that hotshot recruit Gunner Kiel decided to transfer to Cincinnati after one year in South Bend, Ind., rather than stay and compete with Golson for the position.

Golson's stunning departure opens the door for senior Tommy Rees, who has 18 career starts. Rees lost the No. 1 job to Golson last year and began the year on the bench as he was suspended for an offseason incident. However, Rees became indispensable as the Irish marched their way toward the national championship game.

As Golson at times wobbled along the way, Rees was a security blanket, bailing the young quarterback out of trouble. Despite his struggles, Golson received a complete vote of confidence from coach Brian Kelly, who did not hesitate to crown Golson the team's leader--even while he struggled.

In September, before the Irish played Michigan State, Kelly dismissed any hint of unrest at the position. And he held that stance all season, refusing to use the quick hook on Golson and risk shattering his confidence.

"There is no quarterback controversy," Kelly said then. "Everett Golson is our starter. He will start against Michigan State. We know we have assets at that position with Andrew Hendrix and Tommy Rees."

Golson, from Myrtle Beach, S.C., began his career with sky-high expectations. He was quickly grounded when he found himself redshirting and working on the scout team. He said in January that the experience was humbling. It pushed him forward, tentatively at first, and then with greater assertiveness and boldness.

Now, he's not that at all. He's a rising star whose light has darkened amid a still uncertain event. What Golson did that would warrant such swift and devastating action is unclear at the moment. Former Notre Dame wide receiver standout Michael Floyd was a repeat offender with alcohol-related arrests and he never saw this fate.

Whatever the case, we know it's bad--bad for Golson as a player and as a student, and bad for the Irish, who'll have to gather themselves over the next few months and re-set with Rees or Hendrix. Early enrollee Malik Zaire is also in the mix.

There is one fewer "asset"--a major blow to a team that was set to enter the season ranked in the Top 10. The Notre Dame team that took a gigantic step forward in 2012 is on its heels before the 2013 season has even begun.